Special Report

The World's Richest Athletes

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Amid the growing split in the golf world, Tiger Woods turned down a contract worth $700-$800 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to its CEO, Greg Norman. Woods has been an ardent supporter of the existing PGA Tour, as it tries to fend off competition from the upstart LIV.

Even though Woods did not take the payout, he is still one of the highest-earning athletes in the world, taking home over $68 million over the last year. Nearly all of his income came via endorsements as he works his way back to fitness after a 2021 car accident. Still, there are over a dozen other athletes who earned more than the golf legend. 

To determine the world’s richest athletes, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on earnings from some of the world’s most high-profile athletes from Forbes. Earnings are from May 2021 to May 2022. On-the-field income includes salary prize money and bonuses, while off-the-field income includes endorsements, licensing fees, appearances, and cash returns from investments. Supplemental information came from the Sports Reference family of sites, and is accurate as of Aug. 1, 2022. An athlete’s country was determined to be the one they represent in international competitions.

The 50 highest paid athletes in the world hail from 15 different countries, though the vast majority (35) are American. These American athletes primarily play in domestic sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, though a few golfers and a tennis player cracked the list as well.

The 50 highest paid athletes in the world earned almost $3 billion combined over the past year. NBA and NFL players make up the majority of the list, with more than 30 players earning over $37 million between the two leagues. In other sports like golf, soccer, auto racing, and boxing, only the very top earners were able to make the list. (It’s worth noting, though, how much the best paid athletes paid in taxes.)

Click here to see the world’s richest athletes

It is worth noting that some of the athletes’ on-field earnings are somewhat inflated. Teams often front-load or back-load big contracts, paying players huge sums to skirt the salary cap. Some of the players on this list made tens of millions of dollars over the last year, despite being injured or playing poorly, as they were at the end of massive contracts. These are the most overpaid athletes in pro sports.

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50. T.J. Watt
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.6 million; Off-the-field: $1 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Country: United States

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49. Bradley Beal
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33.7 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Washington Wizards
> Country: United States

Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Russell Wilson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $24 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Denver Broncos
> Country: United States

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Jake Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $30 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

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Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Kemba Walker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35 million; Off-the-field: $3 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Detroit Pistons
> Country: United States

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

45. Stefon Diggs
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.2 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States

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44. Ryan Ramczyk
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.7 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

43. Chris Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.1 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States

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41. Amari Cooper
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.9 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States

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Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

41. Dak Prescott
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27.4 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Dallas Cowboys
> Country: United States

40. Joel Embiid
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.7 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: Cameroon

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Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

39. Devin Booker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States

Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

38. Marshon Lattimore
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $40.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40.8 million; Off-the-field: 100000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States

Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

37. Rory McIlroy
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $41.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $7.5 million; Off-the-field: $34 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: Northern Ireland

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Roberto Galan / Getty Images

35. Conor McGregor
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Mixed Martial Arts
> Team: N/A
> Country: Ireland

Matthias Hangst / Getty Images

35. Kylian Mbappé
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $28 million; Off-the-field: $15 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: France

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34. John Wall
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $44.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.3 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

33. Mohamed Salah
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Liverpool
> Country: Egypt

Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

31. Serena Williams
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $300,000; Off-the-field: $45 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

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Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images

31. Phil Mickelson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $3.3 million; Off-the-field: $42 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

29. Anthony Davis
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.4 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

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29. Kawhi Leonard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $6 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

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28. Paul George
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $47.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $8.5 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

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26. Jimmy Butler
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Miami Heat
> Country: United States

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26. Max Verstappen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Red Bull Racing
> Country: Netherlands

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25. Kirk Cousins
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Minnesota Vikings
> Country: United States

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24. Patrick Mahomes
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $29.1 million; Off-the-field: $20 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Kansas City Chiefs
> Country: United States

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23. Mike Trout
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.5 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Baseball
> Team: Los Angeles Angels
> Country: United States

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22. Klay Thompson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38 million; Off-the-field: $17 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States

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21. Deshaun Watson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $55.5 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States

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20. Damian Lillard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $57.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Portland Trail Blazers
> Country: United States

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19. Naomi Osaka
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $59.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $1.2 million; Off-the-field: $58 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Japan

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18. Tyson Fury
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $62 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United Kingdom

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17. Lewis Hamilton
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $65 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Mercedes
> Country: United Kingdom

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16. Josh Allen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $67 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $63 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States

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15. Aaron Rodgers
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $11 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Green Bay Packers
> Country: United States

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14. Tiger Woods
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40,000; Off-the-field: $68 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

13. Matthew Stafford
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $72.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $69.8 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Los Angeles Rams
> Country: United States

Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

12. James Harden
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $74.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.4 million; Off-the-field: $30 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: United States

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11. Russell Westbrook
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $79.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.2 million; Off-the-field: $35 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $80.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.9 million; Off-the-field: $41 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Milwaukee Bucks
> Country: Greece

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9. Tom Brady
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $83.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $52 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Country: United States

Dustin Satloff / Getty Images

8. Canelo Alvarez
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $85 million; Off-the-field: $5 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: Mexico

Simon Hofmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

7. Roger Federer
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $700,000; Off-the-field: $90 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Switzerland

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6. Kevin Durant
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $42.1 million; Off-the-field: $50 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Brooklyn Nets
> Country: United States

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

5. Stephen Curry
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $45.8 million; Off-the-field: $47 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States

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4. Neymar
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $95 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $70 million; Off-the-field: $25 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Brazil

Alex Livesey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

3. Cristiano Ronaldo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $115 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Manchester United
> Country: Portugal

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2. LeBron James
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $121.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $41.2 million; Off-the-field: $80 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

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Amir Levy / Getty Images

1. Lionel Messi
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $130 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $75 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Argentina

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